Spot the Differential
23 December 2025 434 comments
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It’s time to look at some more differentials as Gameweek 18 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) comes swiftly into view.

We’re only concentrating on FPL picks with an ownership of 5% or less at the time of writing.

This time, we’ve selected low-owned players at Sunderland, Fulham and Newcastle United who we think could have an impact on not just the upcoming Gameweek but in the medium term, too.


ENZO LE FEE

  • FPL ownership: 0.8%
  • Price: £4.9m
  • GW18-22 fixtures: LEE | MCI | tot | bre | CRY

Enzo Le Fee (£4.9m) has emerged as a fresh budget midfield option after some fine recent displays.

The Frenchman offered real quality at the Amex Stadium in Gameweek 17.

He created five chances against Brighton and Hove Albion, the most of any player, and was very unlucky not to come away with an assist.

He went close with a header in the second-half, too.

A versatile player who can operate on either flank or centrally, Le Fee has created 12 chances over the last six Gameweeks, which is bettered by only nine other midfielders.

Above: FPL midfielders sorted by chances created (CC) over the last six Gameweeks

That creativity could consequently give Sunderland the edge against Leeds United on Sunday.

Daniel Farke’s men are unbeaten in four matches but have conceded 17 goals since the start of November, the third-most of any team.

Le Fee, meanwhile, has scored both of Sunderland’s penalties in 2025/26.

He also takes some corners/free-kicks and is averaging 8.8 defensive contributions (DefCon) per 90 minutes, highlighting his various routes to points.

So for those Fantasy managers who need to find a sub-£5.0m midfielder, Le Fee looks worthy of consideration.

One word of warning: one more booking in the next two Gameweeks and he’ll receive a one-match ban.


ANTONEE ROBINSON

  • FPL ownership: 0.6%
  • Price: £4.9m
  • GW18-22 fixtures: whu | cry | LIV | CHE | lee

After returning from injury in Gameweek 16, Antonee Robinson’s (£4.9m) Fantasy appeal is back on the rise.

The left-back has impressed in his last two matches, reaching the DefCon threshold in both instances, with 23 in total.

He also kept a clean sheet and created two chances against Nottingham Forest on Monday, as well as ranking first among teammates for crosses (four) and second for passes into the penalty box (two).

Robinson’s output in offensive areas of the pitch is undoubtedly the main attraction from a Fantasy perspective.

The US international claimed an assist against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup last week, delivering a pinpoint cross for Sasa Lukic (£4.9m) to head home, and supplied 10 assists in the Premier League last term, the most of any defender.

Robinson’s selection is also with one eye on Gameweek 18 opponents West Ham United being second-bottom for key passes conceded from their right flank since the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo.

His relationship with Kevin (£5.8m) down Fulham’s left side could potentially be key, then.

“A full-back like Robinson can help any winger at this level because the capacity for him to overlap and underlap the winger gives always the winger different type of solutions not just one-on-one moments, but a full-back that is always giving solutions going forward.” – Marco Silva

The quote below adds further optimism and suggests Robinson can be a decent differential option for the festive period, particularly with positional rival Ryan Sessegnon (£5.4m) injured.

After two, three months without playing, he can play 90 minutes against Burnley after three days playing 90 minutes against Newcastle because he’s a great athlete as we all recognise.” – Marco Silva on Antonee Robinson


ANTHONY GORDON

  • FPL ownership: 3.0%
  • Price: £7.3m
  • GW18-22 fixtures: mun | bur | CRY | LEE | wol

Two penalty goals and two assists in the last four Gameweeks mean Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) enters Gameweek 18 in decent form.

Despite the fierce competition for attacking spots at Newcastle United, Gordon has been a starter in each of the last three top-flight matches.

He’s played a key role, too, with five shots and four chances created.

“Chelsea was one of his best games this season. Finding that consistent level in every game, that’s what separates the best players from the others.” – Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon

Gordon’s minutes admittedly aren’t completely secure, with positional rival Harvey Barnes (£6.2m) the main threat. Even when he starts, substitutions around the 70-minute mark frequently occur.

However, Newcastle’s turnaround times over Christmas/New Year are favourable, boosting Gordon’s appeal.

Eddie Howe’s side travel to Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

The Red Devils are without a clean sheet since Gameweek 7 and looked particularly vulnerable down their right flank on Sunday, with Leny Yoro (£4.3m) poor.

Part of only 3.0% of squads, Gordon can also deliver value over the next five Gameweeks, with further favourable encounters against Burnley, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It means three of Gordon’s next five opponents are all ranked in the bottom six for StatsBomb expected goals conceded (xGC) per 90 minutes this season, as below.


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  1. WATERMELONS
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Moves for Ekitike early.

    Have been determined not to take a hit just because Bruno is out, but with Richards now out I feel my hand might be forced.

    a) Richards < Keane (-4)
    b) Bruno < Cunha (-4)
    c) Play Van Hecke (vs ARS)

    1. HODGE
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      B

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      B, think Mount might be the one

      1. WATERMELONS
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Cheers guys. Do we really think Man U bang vs Newcastle?

        1. WATERMELONS
          • 8 Years
          4 months, 11 days ago

          Cuhna much higher ceiling but keane surely has a floor of 4pts vs Burnley.

  2. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Play Dubravka instead of Petrovic?

    Bruno to Rogers, Wirtz or Cunha?

    Is a keeper transfer a waste?

    Petrovic
    Timber O’Reilly Chalobah
    Foden HWilson Semenyo Rice
    C Haaland Ekitike DCL

    Dubravka Guehi Senesi #Fernandes

    3.1

  3. TAnderson
    • 1 Year
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Wat is the status of the injury of Chris Richards? https://www.knocksandbans.com/3912-chris-richards

    1. magicmoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 9 days ago

      https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

      Been using this website for about 15 years

  4. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Choose one:

    A) Ballard
    B) Keane

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      B

    2. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Both.

    3. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      B

  5. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    All set to finally play the damn bench boost chip, and now I got Esteve, Wilson and Van Vecker flagged

  6. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Just a cut for richards

    https://x.com/i/status/2003599151259615665

  7. BigKeith
    • 5 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Would you go with head or heart?

    Head) Bruno and Richards to Cunha and Tarkowski

    Heart) Thiago, Bruno, Richards to Ekitike, Cunha, Gudmundsson (-4)

    1. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      I'd go Head, but with Keane, given that Tarkowski is on 4 YCs

  8. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Mateta to Ekiteke?

    Next 2 games -

    Mateta - TOT, FUL
    Ekitike - WOL, LEE

    1. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Ekitike has better fixtures and is likely to get 45 to 60 minutes more across those 2 games than Mateta

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        I hear ya but aren't Palace short on players so Mateta might play 90?!

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Defo

  9. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Would you start Alderete over any of the defenders? Team gtg?

    Raya
    Chalobah O’Reilly Guehi
    Saka Foden Cunha Gordon Rogers
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dubravka Alderete Guiu De Cuyper

    1. 1justlookin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Alderete over Chalobah for me but not much in it

  10. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Is Bruno Fernandes actually confirmed to be missing the NEW game on Friday?

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Until we get a pre-match presser there's this

      "I think it's soft tissue, so it's going to be a while," Amorim told reporters. "We'll see. We have to cope. We will find solutions."

      1. tutankamun
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Press conference tomorrow

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Fernandes was asked whether he would be fit for the Boxing Day clash against Newcastle, to which he replied: “No”.

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/27470265

  11. Winnerr
    • 2 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Best option?

    A) Lewis-potter and Casemiro

    or

    B) Konate and Wharton

    1. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      I'm not a fan of either really. Nelson back so Lewis Potter minutes at risk. Konate has 2 good games but is on 4 yellows.
      The 2 mids are a bit uninspiring.

      For that money I'd go Virgil and Potts/Miley.

  12. Jstap94
    • 2 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Thoughts on this WC team, with view to BB in 19.

    Raya,
    Keane, Lewis-Potter, Konate
    Wirtz, Cunha, Gordon Foden
    Ekiteke, Thiago, Haaland

    Verbruggen, Wharton, Thiaw, Dorgu

    This will give a likely BB in 19 of: Verbruggen (WHA), Keane (NFO), Dorgu (WOL), Wharton (FUL).

    Any thoughts and advice appreciated.

    1. BR510
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Very good

      • Royal5
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Wirtz

      • Jebiga
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Very nice

    2. BR510
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Rogers or Gordon for the next couple? Cunha can become the other in 21 if necessary

        1. hawkeyes
          • 11 Years
          4 months, 11 days ago

          Gordon

        2. Kingy109
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 11 days ago

          Gordon has the fixtures earlier whereas Rogers has Chelsea away and Arsenal away. Are you worried about Gordon's minutes?

          1. BR510
              4 months, 11 days ago

              Im a bit worried about minutes tbh. If I go for rogers I will only buy after Chelsea and arsenal anyway

              1. Kingy109
                • 4 Years
                4 months, 11 days ago

                I'd roll and assess Rogers in a few weeks then. If he avoids yellow Bruno G should have better minutes than Gordon, but lower threat too

        3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          4 months, 11 days ago

          if I make my transfers now and decide to play free hit, will my point hit be removed?

          If someone has wc and free hit in what order are they playing it?

          1. Tony Moon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            4 months, 11 days ago

            Yes to the first Q

        4. Jebiga
          • 14 Years
          4 months, 11 days ago

          Is de cuyper decent pick after arsenal game?

          1. BR510
              4 months, 11 days ago

              Yes. Is he on 4 yellows or is that Wieffer?

            • Kingy109
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 11 days ago

              He's not guaranteed minutes - Mitoma is back right?

          2. OffsidePenalty
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 months, 11 days ago

            FH19 and plan to bring in Cunha.
            Need to get rid of Bruno

            A) Bruno to Wirtz
            B) Bruno to Cunha this round

            1. Freshy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              4 months, 11 days ago

              B

          3. tuturututu
            • 5 Years
            4 months, 11 days ago

            FH team

            Alisson
            Timber, VVD, Hincapie
            Foden, Cherki, Saka, Semenyo, Wilson
            Haaland, Ekitike(c)

            Should I go with Senesi and Rice over Timber and Wilson?

            1. BR510
                4 months, 11 days ago

                Why semenyo over wirtz

              • Kingy109
                • 4 Years
                4 months, 11 days ago

                Everton defence worth considering
                Calafiori is a more exciting pick than Hincapie
                Frimpong or Wirtz even more exciting (depending on risk appetite) - and non FH players less likely to have
                Brentford good at home, Bournemouth not great away I'd not bother with Senesi or Semenyo on FH.

            2. Lucas8406
              • 6 Years
              4 months, 11 days ago

              Rogers to Cunha for free? FH19 so gains focused on this gameweek

              1. Tony Moon
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                4 months, 11 days ago

                Take out one of the most in form players? Nope.

            3. SpaceCadet
              • 12 Years
              4 months, 11 days ago

              No fts left and still have Bruno, Hincapie, konate and diouf in the team. Just praying hincapie and konate are fit to play.

            4. nanxun
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 11 days ago

              Chris Richards reportedly will miss Sun. 12/28 match with TOT, but Glasner is "hopeful" that he'll be available when they host FUL on New Year's Day.

              https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/crystal-palace-injury-update-chris-richards-glasner-b1263825.html

              So, should I hold Richards for the future, or replace him (instead of Andersen) with Keane?

              ----------------------------------------------------------------

              Bringing in Keane, but for whom?
              A) Richards, who'd start only start GW19 (home FUL) and GW21 (away AVL)
              B) Andersen, who'd only start GW21 (away CHE)

              Looking only at fixtures, no-brainer = keep Richards and do Andersen > Keane.

              On the other hand, will CRY be totally gassed due to extra mid-week fixture?
              Tue 12/23 (8 pm tonight; 2 day rest since GW18) at ARS
              Sun 12/28 (4:30 pm; 4 days) home TOT--RICHARDS OUT DUE TO INJURY
              Thu 1/1 (5:30 pm; 3 days) home FUL
              Sun 1/4 (3:00 pm; 2 days) away NEW
              Wed 1/7 (7:30 pm; 2 days) away AVL

              Andersen has:
              Sat 12/27 (3:00 pm; 4 days since GW18) away WHU
              Thu 1/1 (5:30 pm; 4 days) at CRY
              Sun 1/4 (3:00 pm; 2 days) away LIV
              Wed 1/7 (7:30 pm; 2 days) home CHE

              Any thoughts?

              I'm leaning towards keeping Andersen.

              TIA

              1. BR510
                  4 months, 11 days ago

                  Im keeping for now

                • Kingy109
                  • 4 Years
                  4 months, 11 days ago

                  Keep and play Andersen vs West Ham this week and roll transfer to see what next week brings?

                  1. nanxun
                    • 4 Years
                    4 months, 11 days ago

                    That makes perfect sense, but BUR v EVE fixture this week is making me want to bring in Keane.

                • nanxun
                  • 4 Years
                  4 months, 11 days ago

                  Looking farther ahead, if MCI make it to the EFL (Carabao) Cup final, then CRY may have a double in GW27.

                  So, maybe I should hold on to Richards (instead of Andersen), since I only need him (Richards) for GW19 and GW21 in the short term?

              2. Bradleyfarrell
                • 3 Years
                4 months, 11 days ago

                Trying to afford ekitike this week and cunha next week. Do or don’t.

                Areola
                Andersen - chalobah - van den berg
                Palmer - saka - cherki - semenyo -
                Woltemade - Ekitike - Haaland

                (Petrovic, reinildo, Gudmundsson, Kin)

                Gw18-Thiago & foden & Petrovic> Ekitike & Cherki & Areola
                Gw19- Semenyo > Cunha

                1. BR510
                    4 months, 11 days ago

                    yes nice

                2. BR510
                    4 months, 11 days ago

                    Would you just roll these 3FT? Or any other suggestions?

                    Dub
                    Timber Andersen Thiaw
                    Saka Foden Rice Cunha
                    Haaland Ekitike Thiago

                    Verb Rodon Richards KDH

                    0.0ITB Thanks all!

                  • Bartass89
                    • 1 Year
                    4 months, 10 days ago

                    I think that against Burnley they will start: Barnes, Wissa, Elanga, and on the bench will be those who played 3 days earlier, i.e. Gordon, Woltemade and Murphy.